HC Deb 16 December 2002 vol 396 cc675-6W
Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding Milton Keynes PCT received in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 1999–2000 in respect of the prison population at Woodhill. [86965]

Jacqui Smith

Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust (PCT) received specific funding of 50,000 in 2001–02 and 108,000 in 2002–03 to support the development of improved mental health services for the prison population at Her Majesty's Prison Woodhill.

In each year the PCT, and previously the health authority, received funding for the secondary care of that part of its population classified by the Office for National Statistics as normally resident in HMP Woodhill. This funding comprised part of the general resource allocation for the PCT and was not separately identified.

Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding Milton Keynes PCT will receive in repect of Woodhill Prison as a result of the increased national funding. [86966]

Jacqui Smith

Primary care trusts (PCTs) will not immediately assume financial responsibility for prison health services as a result of the transfer of Departmental budgetary responsibility for these services to the Department from April 2003. Future allocations to PCTs in respect of local prison populations have not yet been calculated, but in most cases the resources allocated will be significantly greater than current prison service expenditure on health care in the relevant prisons.

Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether remand prisoners in Woodhill Prison are included in the funding calculation for Milton Keynes PCT. [86967]

Jacqui Smith

Remand prisoners will be taken into account in future funding calculations for Primary Care Trusts.

Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding Milton Keynes PCT received in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 1990–2000 for upgrading health facilities within Woodhill Prison. [86968]

Jacqui Smith

The prison service is responsible for the maintenance of health care facilities at Her Majesty's Prison Woodhill. Accordingly, no funding was allocated to Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust, or to its predecessor, Buckinghamshire Health Authority, for upgrading health facilities within HMP Woodhill during the three years in question.